Woman dies in blaze

A woman died in hospital after being rescued from her blazing home in the Hall i’th Wood area of Bolton. Faye Nichola Bird, 36, had been trapped in an upstairs back bedroom of the semi-detached property on Tonge Head Avenue, when the fire started in the kitchen area.

A woman died in hospital after being rescued from her blazing home in the Hall i’th Wood area of Bolton.

Faye Nichola Bird, 36, had been trapped in an upstairs back bedroom of the semi-detached property on Tonge Head Avenue, when the fire started in the kitchen area.

Fire fighters wearing breathing kits quickly managed to locate her in the smoke-filled home, and carried her out to ambulance paramedics. She was unconscious, not breathing, and had suffered a cardiac arrest.

She was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital, but died a short time later despite desperate efforts to save her life.

The woman’s elderly mother had managed to get out of the house unhurt, but two dogs and two cats perished in the blaze, which is still under investigation.

A neighbour who suffers from cystic fibrosis was treated at the scene by paramedics, and later taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

A fire brigade spokesman said crews were met by the victim’s mother when they arrived at the blazing home. She told them her daughter was still inside the house.

He said: “The fire was quickly brought under control. There was extensive damage to the kitchen area, but the whole of the property suffered serious damage caused by heat and smoke.”

“There was a fire alarm fitted inside the house, but the battery had been removed. We can only urge people to make sure they have a working alarm, and to test it every week.”

He said the fire was not believed to be suspicious, but fire experts were today carrying out an investigation to determine the cause.